Jaffna magistrate calls for statement from Jaffna Mayor

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 May 2010, 16:49 GMT]Jaffna magistrate A. Anantharajah Thursday directed the police to obtain the statement of Ms. Yogeswari Patkunam, Jaffna Mayor of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) on the issue of the advertisement published by Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC) which was counted as contempt of court, sources in Jaffna said. The police were further directed to submit a report based on the statement when the courts takes up the case 17 May. The said advertisement, titled in Tamil language calling the ‘Judiciary to render justice’ was brought to the notice of the Chief Justice and the Justice Service Commission by the magistrates of Jaffna district.

JMC Commissioner M. S. Saravanbavan Tuesday pleaded in Jaffna Court that the advertisement was not published by JMC Administration in the local dailies but by the JMC members elected by the people.

Jaffna magistrate had ordered JMC Commissioner to publish a statement refuting the said advertisement Wednesday in the local dailies and released him.

Jaffna court, however, did not accept the refuting statement published by the Commissioner while strongly criticising it for having maliciously brought disrespect to Sri Lanka President and for commenting on the legal actions of the Chief Justice, sources in Jaffna said.

Consequently Jaffna magistrate directed the police to obtain the statement of Jaffna Mayor and submit a report.

The said advertisement, an abstention of duties by JMC employees besides Jaffna Mayor demanding the release of Ilango alias Regan, the deputy mayor and a key EPDP operative detained in Jaffna prison for suspected involvement in issuing death threats to Chaavakachcheari magistrate K. Pirabakaran had been the causes of this issue, the sources added.